Shohei Ohtani will once again wear Japan’s uniform on the global stage, but the two-way superstar is approaching the upcoming World Baseball Classic with a different mindset.
With the 2026 MLB season looming large, Shohei Ohtani has decided he will not pitch in the tournament, choosing instead to contribute solely as a designated hitter.
The decision, confirmed by Dave Roberts during the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ annual fan event, closes the door on weeks of speculation.
Roberts noted that the call came from Ohtani himself, and that the team would “absolutely” support Ohtani no matter what he chose.
For a player who has built his reputation on redefining what’s possible in modern baseball, the move reflects a rare moment of restraint rather than ambition.
Ohtani‘s World Baseball Classic résumé is already the stuff of legend. In 2023, he was the face of Japan‘s championship run, earning tournament MVP honors and punctuating the final by striking out then-teammate Mike Trout.
But five months after that triumph, Ohtani suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament that ultimately required his second Tommy John surgery.
He returned to the mound last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the organization has been deliberate in managing his workload.
Ohtani acknowledged earlier this winter that pitching in the WBC would depend on how his arm responded as he ramped up.
The final decision removes any uncertainty and signals that protecting his long-term health outweighs the allure of pitching in March.
Japan will still feature Ohtani as the centerpiece of its lineup when the World Baseball Classic opens next month.
Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to anchor the rotation, allowing Ohtani to focus on what remains one of the most feared bats in the sport.
What it means for Japan and the Dodgers
From Japan‘s perspective, losing Ohtani‘s arm is significant, but his presence at the plate remains a massive advantage.
He is coming off a dominant 2025 season, hitting .282 with a .392 on-base percentage, launched a career-high 55 home runs and secured his third consecutive MVP award.
Even without pitching, his ability to change a game with one swing keeps Japan firmly among the tournament favorites.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the calculus is straightforward.
Ohtani is expected to pitch without restrictions once the MLB season begins, and limiting high-intensity innings before Opening Day reduces unnecessary risk.
The organization invested heavily in Ohtani for the long haul, not just for marquee moments in March.
A long-term vision over short-term spectacle
Ohtani has never lacked confidence in big moments, which makes this decision stand out.
Rather than chasing another headline-making performance on the mound, he is prioritizing availability and consistency over the grind of a full season.
Japan will still get its leader, fans will still get the spectacle, and the World Baseball Classic will still carry immense meaning.
But Ohtani‘s absence from the pitching staff serves as a reminder that even the game’s most extraordinary talents must occasionally choose patience over possibility.
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